"I'm not sure I want to be a hero anymore." Having achieved her dream of becoming the first female knight errant, Alanna of Trebond is not sure what to do next. Perhaps being a knight errant is not all that Alanna needs....But Alanna must push her uncertainty aside when a new challenge arises. She must recover the DominionAlternate cover by Tim Jacobus for ISBN 0679801138.

"I'm not sure I want to be a hero anymore." Having achieved her dream of becoming the first female knight errant, Alanna of Trebond is not sure what to do next. Perhaps being a knight errant is not all that Alanna needs....But Alanna must push her uncertainty aside when a new challenge arises. She must recover the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem with enormous power for good -- but only in the right hands. And she must work quickly. Tortall is in great danger, and Alanna's archenemy, Duke Roger, is back -- and more powerful than ever. In this final book of the Song of the Lioness quartet, Alanna discovers that she indeed has a future worthy of her mythic past -- both as a warrior and as a woman....more

AliaIf you read the next quartet, The Immortals (starting with Wild Magic, centers on a girl named Daine, but Alanna and many other of the characters make…moreIf you read the next quartet, The Immortals (starting with Wild Magic, centers on a girl named Daine, but Alanna and many other of the characters make more than cameo appearances in it!), you'll find that Alanna indeed did get her Gift back, and that it didn't permanently change colors either.(less)

Frances Mary KlemmI'm not sure, but I'm guessing he was easy to manipulate in a way and after a year serving as Roger's squire his selfish, slightly evil side got ahead…moreI'm not sure, but I'm guessing he was easy to manipulate in a way and after a year serving as Roger's squire his selfish, slightly evil side got ahead of him. He also might have been a little jealous of Alanna and had something to prove. That he was better than them all. Just a thought...(less)

Community Reviews

After adoring the first, liking the second and hating the third, the fourth came somewhere in-between. The first half of this book was a bit of struggle for me, but honestly once the adventure for the jewel was over, the story picks up a bit.

I didn't like how Alanna's brother Thom was practically non-existent throughout the entire series, and has a small (or rather large) part in this book and. . . no, just no. The author made it seem like just because they were twins, they knew everything aboutAfter adoring the first, liking the second and hating the third, the fourth came somewhere in-between. The first half of this book was a bit of struggle for me, but honestly once the adventure for the jewel was over, the story picks up a bit.

I didn't like how Alanna's brother Thom was practically non-existent throughout the entire series, and has a small (or rather large) part in this book and. . . no, just no. The author made it seem like just because they were twins, they knew everything about each other and were each other's other half, but really they had only sent a few letters to each other throughout their lives and never even visited each other. The end of the book just didn't touch me like I suppose the author meant.

This is a story that can be stopped at the first book if you'd like to skip all the frustration, rambling and whining and just imagine the rest. For honestly, not much happens in the last three books worth mentioning.

Oh and also, this would have had only 1 star, but I liked who she wound up with, and he was the only character I've loved whole-heartedly the entire time....more

Having reached the end of the Alanna books, I'm really sad to be done with the series. Not just because Alanna is a fantastic heroine - seriously, I'm currently drafting legislation to make these books required reading for sixth grade girls everywhere - but also because this is one of those rare occasions where I feel like a book could have been longer, and should have been longer. The entire Alanna series has felt very rushed, since Book One when we sped through two years of knight training inHaving reached the end of the Alanna books, I'm really sad to be done with the series. Not just because Alanna is a fantastic heroine - seriously, I'm currently drafting legislation to make these books required reading for sixth grade girls everywhere - but also because this is one of those rare occasions where I feel like a book could have been longer, and should have been longer. The entire Alanna series has felt very rushed, since Book One when we sped through two years of knight training in about two hundred pages, and I wish that these books had been published at a time when children's series were allowed to contain 700-page epics.

At the very least, it feels like there should be one more book in the Alanna series. As always, Pierce is racing through her plot points as quickly as possible, but in this book it's especially obvious that there are two major plotlines that each deserved their own book: first, Alanna goes on a quest to retrieve the Dominion Jewel, a super-powerful magical item that will make Jonathan a super-powerful king and unite the kingdom somehow; and while she's doing this she also meets a fugitive princess and her scrappy teen bodyguard, and we're introduced to more of this universe's complex socio-political climate. Then, once Alanna gets the jewel, she goes back to the capital city and lives at court for a while, where we have two intersecting plotlines of George Cooper trying to hold onto his role as King of the Thieves and Prince Jonathan trying to uncover whatever plot the only-mostly-dead Duke Roger is cooking up.

That's a lot of plot to cram into 300 pages, and both storylines have to fight for space, and both suffer for it. I really, really wish this last book had been split into two books: the first one could be all about the quest for the Dominion Jewel and the people Alanna meets on said quest, and the next and final book would be about her time at court, the struggle with Duke Roger, and the conclusion to the Dominion Jewel plotline. I wish this had happened, not just because it would have meant that these stories would have been better developed and fleshed out, but also because, at the end of Alanna's series, I still have a lot of questions. The biggest one is the question of what, exactly, the Goddess has had in mind for Alanna this whole time. She gave Alanna the magic sword, the magic jewel, the magic cat...for what? So Alanna could fight Duke Roger? It feels almost like there was supposed to be something bigger, something more epic, at the end of this book, and it was scrapped to make room for a classic Boss Fight between Alanna and Roger. There just wasn't enough time: to learn what Alanna's exact connection to the Goddess was, for minor villains like Alex and Delia to be properly developed as human beings, to find out just what Faithful's deal was (view spoiler)[Like, we're pretty sure Faithful was some kind of demigod in disguise or something, right? (hide spoiler)]...like I said above, I rarely find myself wishing that a 300-page book was twice as long, but that's how I felt about Lioness Rampant.

Frustrating length aside, this was a great conclusion to Alanna's story. We got to see her discovering more of who she is and what she wants (often this self-discovery occurs thanks to her affair with a Shang warrior named Liam Ironarm, which, damn. Four for you, Alanna of Trebond, you go Alanna of Trebond!), while also questioning whether the life of a knight is one that she actually wants. Again, I would have loved it if this particular internal struggle had been explored in more depth, but I understand that the young adult market at the time didn't really make it possible for Tamora Pierce to write five-hundred page volumes for her series.

It's too bad that I didn't get to spend as much time with Alanna as I wanted to, but I enjoyed every single adventure and every page. The writing never really elevated itself to the level I wanted, but ultimately it didn't even matter because Alanna is such a great heroine, her adventures were fantastic, and these books are so important for little girls. Books about girls with swords will always be my personal crack, but this series is the gold standard....more

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The biggest Mary Sue/Gary Stu that I have ever encountered was written by a male, and was a male. Kvothe from the "Kingkiller Chronicles" is, in my opThe biggest Mary Sue/Gary Stu that I have ever encountered was written by a male, and was a male. Kvothe from the "Kingkiller Chronicles" is, in my opinion, the dictionary definition of a Mary Sue. He's all oh-so-powerful without even trying, and the boy can do no wrong. Detestable character, really....more
Jul 31, 2014 02:40AM

KatieI remember reading once in an interview with Tamora Pierce that when she initially wrote the series she had written it as one massive adult book (thinI remember reading once in an interview with Tamora Pierce that when she initially wrote the series she had written it as one massive adult book (think like a 700 page epic) but she couldn't get it published so her agent advised her to break it into a quartet and market it towards the YA market instead. I think that's why there's those pacing issues that aren't as evident in later books, because those were always planned to be a quartet and this series had to be divided into 4 individual stories....more
Feb 15, 2018 06:58PM

I'm just posting this to say that I was thoroughly impressed by Tamora Pierce's fight scenes. Like it's obvious that she thought about how Alanna could win fights against people who are physically stronger without any magic short cuts. Most of the time when I read action scenes in books I have no idea what the fuck happened or the author takes a cop out and writes something like "and then everything happened at once" and then skips to the aftermath but in these I always had a vivid mental pic ofI'm just posting this to say that I was thoroughly impressed by Tamora Pierce's fight scenes. Like it's obvious that she thought about how Alanna could win fights against people who are physically stronger without any magic short cuts. Most of the time when I read action scenes in books I have no idea what the fuck happened or the author takes a cop out and writes something like "and then everything happened at once" and then skips to the aftermath but in these I always had a vivid mental pic of everything that went down and it was rad. The last few action sequences were especially amazing and I wasn't expecting that.

I kind of wish that the last two books of this series had been cut down into one, because I feel like there was a lot of filler that I could've done without....more

In a lot of ways, this is my favorite of the Alanna books. I love seeing Alanna come into her own; I love seeing her gain confidence, throwing herself in the face of impossible odds, and accepting herself as both a woman and a knight. I love, love what this series does with relationships, that Alanna's allowed to date multiple men, that it's okay that some of the relationships don't have long-term potential, and that it hurts when they fall apart anyway. That the relationships are ultimately aboIn a lot of ways, this is my favorite of the Alanna books. I love seeing Alanna come into her own; I love seeing her gain confidence, throwing herself in the face of impossible odds, and accepting herself as both a woman and a knight. I love, love what this series does with relationships, that Alanna's allowed to date multiple men, that it's okay that some of the relationships don't have long-term potential, and that it hurts when they fall apart anyway. That the relationships are ultimately about her, not about the men; that it's not about choosing which man she likes best, but which man's goals and lifestyle match those she's already chosen for herself. I wish more modern YA authors would take a page out of Pierce's book, here, because it's one of the only portrayals of a love triangle (quadrangle?) I can stand.

I like all the new secondary characters we meet, too, and Pierce does a great job characterizing them with very little screen time. I want to give it four stars. But I don't think the plot and pacing quite justify them. There's a real choppiness between the first and second half the book, and while (view spoiler)[the notion of Roger back from the dead provides a chilling villain (and a necessary one, I think, since it allows Alanna to face how far she's grown in a way a new villain wouldn't), there's a lot of unforgivable vagueness around why Thom thought Roger--Roger, of all people!--would be a good target for practicing necromancy and around just what Roger is trying to accomplish. (I suppose the answer to the latter is, "He's insane," but that's never a very satisfying piece of characterization for a villain. I have similar problems with Alex's characterization.) (hide spoiler)]

Still, a satisfying end to the series. And the final scenes make me tear up every time....more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.I should have stopped reading this series after the first book. And I'd like to dock half a star on this for the needless murder of a cat.

SIGH.

Maybe high fantasy isn't really my thing. Maybe I needed this magic system more fully explained than it was. Maybe I needed something more in-depth than a middle-grade series could provide. I'm not sure where this series went wrong.

(And speaking of middle grade, Alanna sure gets laid a lot for a middle-grade series. I'm just throwing that out there. And dI should have stopped reading this series after the first book. And I'd like to dock half a star on this for the needless murder of a cat.

SIGH.

Maybe high fantasy isn't really my thing. Maybe I needed this magic system more fully explained than it was. Maybe I needed something more in-depth than a middle-grade series could provide. I'm not sure where this series went wrong.

(And speaking of middle grade, Alanna sure gets laid a lot for a middle-grade series. I'm just throwing that out there. And don't try to tell me that this book isn't middle grade, because it's not written above maybe a fifth grade level.)

I just couldn't get behind this. SPOILERS There was just no doubt that things would happen the way they did. Of course Alanna would be able to pass as a boy with no problems. Of course she'd become Jon's squire. Of course she'll pass her trial and become a knight. Of course they'll defeat the whatever it was in the first book. OF COURSE Jon isn't offended that she's been masquerading as a boy and basically abusing his trust. Of course Roger is evil, of course he isn't dead, of course he still has magic. Nothing is a surprise or suspenseful and everything turns out exactly the way you assume it will.

It's just boring. I think if it weren't middle grade, there could have been a lot more to it, a lot more development, that would have made it a much better series....more

This review will be looking at the whole series. I have to admit I amazed that some how in my adolesence of female oriented fantasy reading I never picked up the Alanna Quartet. The series is most definately unique in the world of fantasy directed to girls;the sex is frank, the main character has the unique attributes of red hair and violet eyes but is at one point described as short and stocky, she works to callous her hands, and has chosen the road that will most definatly at the end of her liThis review will be looking at the whole series. I have to admit I amazed that some how in my adolesence of female oriented fantasy reading I never picked up the Alanna Quartet. The series is most definately unique in the world of fantasy directed to girls;the sex is frank, the main character has the unique attributes of red hair and violet eyes but is at one point described as short and stocky, she works to callous her hands, and has chosen the road that will most definatly at the end of her life leave her with a great deal of physical scars. And this still seems utterly refreshing twenty years later. Although, there can be clunky bits through out this series, I must applaud Tamora Pierce for giving young women and girls a heroine that in the end holds her own. I admit at times I was yelling at Alanna's insecurities for the simple fact that this character was such a strong warrior, but in the end Alanna is not a perfect character and maybe that is why the character is better for that. ...more

[3.5 Stars] I don't think I enjoyed this one quite as much as the last. It was wonderful read, but there is something about it that I just didn't fall in love with and I can't quite put my finger on why. All in all, however, this is a fantastic series though it could use a little more depth.

Aw, I'm all verklempt now. A bittersweet ending to this series. It's plain to see why the Alanna books created so many die-hard Pierce fans.

This could have easily been broken into two books, but I'm glad it wasn't, after the weird cuts between books the series made earlier. Still, it's pretty much two stories: the first being the quest for the Dominion Jewel, and the second the plot against Jonathan's life. While the first was fun, I liked the second half better. I love Corus and things are wayAw, I'm all verklempt now. A bittersweet ending to this series. It's plain to see why the Alanna books created so many die-hard Pierce fans.

This could have easily been broken into two books, but I'm glad it wasn't, after the weird cuts between books the series made earlier. Still, it's pretty much two stories: the first being the quest for the Dominion Jewel, and the second the plot against Jonathan's life. While the first was fun, I liked the second half better. I love Corus and things are way less interesting when George isn't around.

But (view spoiler)[THE CAT. WHY DID THEY HAVE TO KILL THE KITTY. WHYYYYY. I can deal with the other two major character deaths way better than I can deal with the cat's, and I KNOW he's technically immortal! I just... wanted a scene with Alanna finding a new kitten during the epilogue or something. FANFIC WRITERS, GIVE THIS TO ME. (I'm sure it's already been done.) (hide spoiler)]

Off to read everything else Pierce has written, and then to re-read the Beka Cooper books! Because MOAR KITTY....more

Here's my favorite thing about Lioness Rampant: it's an epic story that focuses on great storytelling instead of its own legend. It's aware of its importance, and it believes in its importance - but it's not obsessed with its enormous future impact. It's content to tell a great story, and let the legend grow naturally from there.

And I think this is a great story. I love that it opens with a young Alanna - young despite her knighthood! - not knowing how to flirt with Liam. I love the way Alanna iHere's my favorite thing about Lioness Rampant: it's an epic story that focuses on great storytelling instead of its own legend. It's aware of its importance, and it believes in its importance - but it's not obsessed with its enormous future impact. It's content to tell a great story, and let the legend grow naturally from there.

And I think this is a great story. I love that it opens with a young Alanna - young despite her knighthood! - not knowing how to flirt with Liam. I love the way Alanna is determined to be a hero for her country's sake, and that she doesn't stumble upon greatness unexpectedly but deliberately goes after it.

And I love the nuance. I think this is the first Pierce book where I can say that. Think about the scholar who tells them about the Dominion Jewel, about how it works for those who are rulers and conquerors by nature, which is why it's often used best by a commoner. Think about the person Alanna believes to be king: how would Roald have used the Jewel? Could he have used it?

Alanna tells Liam, when he asks her if she's the best in Tortall, that she doesn't know, because she only fought knights. "There may be some commoners better than me" - Alanna, who's very conscious of her nobility! But it doesn't make her blind.

I like her relationship with Thayet. I like how perceptive Thayet is, especially about Alanna. She shows she's smart and diplomatic just by the way she explains to Alanna why she cannot take the Jewel for Sarain. She knows to give the longer explanation so Alanna knows Thayet isn't shirking her duty, and that, more than anything, is what convinces me that Thayet will be a great queen. Showing, not telling: good stuff.

More nuance, possibly the most nuance-y of all:

Alanna blushed. "Thayet, you're flattering me. It was easier for me to rebel than stay and make something of myself. Why didn't I go to convent school and prove ladies are more than ornaments that way?"

I CANNOT EXPRESS THE EXTENT OF MY JOY AT THAT LINE. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Showing, not telling, part the second: Alanna is really growing up. (Maybe she didn't only teach the Bazhir. Maybe she learned something, too.)

Then there's the finale. Alanna thinks, "He expects you to fight. So - stop fighting." I've never been quite clear on how that worked out for her (view spoiler)[- was the blade traveling too quickly for Roger to duck? What did he think would happen when he called the sword to him? - (hide spoiler)] but I love how it comes full circle: when Alanna first found the blade with Myles, she had to stop fighting, too.

And then there's Jonathan, grief-stricken over his parents, not understanding how you could love someone so much you would forget your duty to your people - which is something Thayet voices understanding of, even before Jonathan states it. This book does so much quiet legwork to persuade me that Jon and Thayet will make a great couple.

Stuff to ponder: the current plot that centers around Roger seems to have been started by Delia of Eldorne. Which makes me wonder how exactly Roger planned his eventual resurrection. Did he know time was ticking during book two, and if so, why? He must have, because if he'd been really dead, Thom's spell wouldn't have worked. But Delia wasn't at court then, was she? Or is this shades of Voldemort, and he was just paranoid about death all the time? And how about Thom? Wasn't he still pretending to be stupid at that point? On whose magic prowess was Roger depending?

Please note that Roger telling Jon straight out, "But they can be defeated, Jonathan. The right man can shake their thrones" tells readers Roger's plans quite neatly, but it also informs Jonathan. Is Roger stupid? DO NOT GO ANNOUNCING YOUR PLANS TO THE PERSON YOU WANT TO DETHRONE, YOU EGOMANIAC.

One last point - Alanna's a healer and she knows Thom is dying. Why does she accept that? Why doesn't she try to do anything for him?!

The Best Supporting Character award is presented to the Lord Provost, by the way. He's so much fun in this book.

I JUST LIKE THIS SO MUCH. And I love how it's referenced in future books - as a major turning point - and here it's a great story that lives up to that label....more

KatieThis book left me with me with the weird feeling that I want Pierce to write books with male protagonists????? I think because they need so much moreThis book left me with me with the weird feeling that I want Pierce to write books with male protagonists????? I think because they need so much more fleshing out....more
Feb 08, 2016 05:11PM

AndreeThat could be interesting. I'd be curious how that would go...
Feb 09, 2016 09:01AM

Yep, I just re-read all of these books for the first time since I was 12. Damn you, Kindle!

I enjoyed them the second time around-- not as much as I did when I was 12 and feisty and just beginning to understand that being a teenager meant wanting to fight EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. Alanna was a pretty great outlet for that.

Things I liked that I missed the first time around:-Sex positivism. For real!-Awesome and strong female characters consistently passing the Bechdel Test.-Awesome male characters.Yep, I just re-read all of these books for the first time since I was 12. Damn you, Kindle!

I enjoyed them the second time around-- not as much as I did when I was 12 and feisty and just beginning to understand that being a teenager meant wanting to fight EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. Alanna was a pretty great outlet for that.

Things I liked that I missed the first time around:-Sex positivism. For real!-Awesome and strong female characters consistently passing the Bechdel Test.-Awesome male characters.-Descriptions of getting stronger and developing callouses. I work out more than I did back then, and I love the feelings Pierce describes.

Things I didn't like as much the second time around:-The writing was a bit less engaging than I remember, but it's still awesome. There are a few too many "the amethyst-eyed girl looked at the blue-eyed boy" things, and several abrupt perspective changes.-Everybody just seems to be okay with a talking cat. I mean, okay.-Duke Roger wasn't as engaging a villain as I remembered him to be.

Things I still liked:-Aw George. -Aw Faithful.-I will always love that Alanna's such a badass....more

Alanna gathers her own band of merry wo/men as she continues her adventures outside of Tortall. Her adventuring takes her through war-torn Sarain, to the Roof of the World where she reclaims the Dominion Jewel for Tortall.

I will say that I think this is the most fulfilling of the Alanna series, for me. I enjoyed reading about Alanna's adventures and growth into a warrior and a woman confident in her abilities and desires! The myths and legends of Tortall and its worl[first read: 6 January 2008]

Alanna gathers her own band of merry wo/men as she continues her adventures outside of Tortall. Her adventuring takes her through war-torn Sarain, to the Roof of the World where she reclaims the Dominion Jewel for Tortall.

I will say that I think this is the most fulfilling of the Alanna series, for me. I enjoyed reading about Alanna's adventures and growth into a warrior and a woman confident in her abilities and desires! The myths and legends of Tortall and its world are fascinating!

As many of you have stated, I was not impressed with the handling of the Thom plot-line. Would Alanna truly shrug away the resurrection of Roger? The realization that Thom was ill? The over-enunciation of her worries over Jonathan, too, felt a bit heavy-handed. (I will admit that I found a certain joy in seeing Alanna shrug off Roger's slights and Thom's meddling, as well as the explanation as to why she was able to do so. It did not break her characterization as tempestuous, merely expanded her horizons to include all she had accomplished. LOVE IT.)

I also wanted more George: I suppose his reasoning for pulling away after Alanna's return to Corus was because he believed she wanted to get back with Jonathan, but it wasn't very well captured?? Other than his initial greeting and his final proposal, he's very reserved and it made me frustrated. I like that George has power and strength, but he never utilizes that power to try and force Alanna into doing anything she doesn't want to do. Both Jonathan and Liam do, to a certain extent, try to impose their wills on her and it rankles to see it go directly unchecked.

OH AND AS AN ASIDE: Alanna, please stfu about "dying alone". You're, what, 20 at best? You've just ended things with your Shang lover that you picked up at an Inn without so much as a by-your-leave; you happily send your first lover off to be married to his new hot Princess; and you haven't had a good heart-to-heart with your middle lover in a year. YOU ARE IN NO DANGER OF DYING ALONE: YOU ARE AN ATTRACTIVE, BADASS LADY WHO HAS HAD LOTS OF LUCK FINDING PARTNERS PLEASE STOP.

Also FAITHFUL.

I finished this book feeling content with the story and what had happened in it (I mean, from an authorial-what-is-art kind of way; not in a "I'm so glad so many people DIED" kind of way). I liked the heroic aspects, and how many references there are to the spread of stories and songs. How legends aren't created by any one person, but rather all the other people. I liked that Alanna sought her destiny instead of allowing it to find her. ...more

It was worth every single second to read. I can usually tell how much time passes while I read, not here, not with this volume. I was sucked into it with glee(a pinch of foreboding too).

The first half of LR finds our Alanna and Coram continuing the plotline from the end of "The Woman Who Rides Like A Man". They are off to decipher the package Alois(the doomed sorceress) had given over. Things progress quickly from here a seriesFive stars, for this, surely I must be kidding? That, or delusional.

It was worth every single second to read. I can usually tell how much time passes while I read, not here, not with this volume. I was sucked into it with glee(a pinch of foreboding too).

The first half of LR finds our Alanna and Coram continuing the plotline from the end of "The Woman Who Rides Like A Man". They are off to decipher the package Alois(the doomed sorceress) had given over. Things progress quickly from here a series of meetings, attempted assassinations and of course a meeting with our lovely, somewhat helpful and terrifyingly vociferous Goddess.

More Tortall lore gets expounded upon(which is great). More romance ensues(which is...well I guess a girl has got to have a life). More characters are introduced(also great). Then, when all that is done, about halfway through at the end of more great fighting, the "Silent War"(my own name for it) recommences.

The Silent War(the one between George and Claw) has been bloody and gets bloodier. The war splinters into the overarching plot around here and things begin to come to light. I won't spoil anything, just to say "If you thought the first half of the book was gripping, you poor soul, what will you do now."

The rest of the book tells all and spares none. The end, while not what I would call unique was not one that you could guess with even 50% accuracy(I am talking about the whole sequence here not the overall outcome).

Now that all my praise is out of the way, here is my one gripe with LR. Alanna cried a lot, I mean abundantly. I don't know if a chapter passed(with her in it) where she did not cry/shed a tear, once. I found it ridiculous.

That out of the way, I am sad that this saga is finished. One loss in particular was hard to take but I think predestined(not the one that was obviously predestined, that was obvious as daylight and quietly done). I'll revisit Tortall sometime soon and see what more she has to tell. "So mote it be."

Hey, my original review is pretty good. So, you know, what she said. She being me. Okay, wait. (view spoiler)[Except I am more curious about Alex. So he just needed to be the best and that is his whole character??? I also wish more time had been spent on Thom. (hide spoiler)]

Original Review

(view spoiler)[I forgot how MUCH happens in this book! Anyway. I liked seeing Alanna among her friends again and realizing how much she (and they) had changed. And the relationship with LiRe-read February 2016

Hey, my original review is pretty good. So, you know, what she said. She being me. Okay, wait. (view spoiler)[Except I am more curious about Alex. So he just needed to be the best and that is his whole character??? I also wish more time had been spent on Thom. (hide spoiler)]

Original Review

(view spoiler)[I forgot how MUCH happens in this book! Anyway. I liked seeing Alanna among her friends again and realizing how much she (and they) had changed. And the relationship with Liam makes so much sense. For all that she has three love interests, it never feels like TOO many.

I kind of wish a little more time had been spent on her and George's relationship in this book? I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE their relationship and I love that I can see he really did end up being the right guy for her, the guy she loves, the one who loved all parts of her and whose dreams matched her own, but I felt like a lot of that was maybe too subtle? The very first time I read the books, I was rooting for Jon. After that, I was always glad she didn't end with Jon, but in re-reading this, I think I can see how my younger self didn't quite get the George thing. Alanna's feelings aren't examined too closely--I can see her change her mind about marriage, but it's not clear she's specifically thinking about George--and George isn't as open about his feelings.

Of course, maybe if there'd been more focus on it, it would've been TOO much and I wouldn't have liked the relationship as well as I now do. (hide spoiler)]...more

This isn't the most subtle series, but I do like its positive messages (even if they're not subtle), one of which is that it's possible to be true to yourself, which in Alanna's case means coming to terms with the fact that she doesn't need to fit neatly or exclusively in a "man's world" or a "woman's world."

I also find it interesting that, unlike in most fantasy novels, especially those oriented toward younger girls, Alanna not only has several lovers, but uses a magic birth control amulet! (NoThis isn't the most subtle series, but I do like its positive messages (even if they're not subtle), one of which is that it's possible to be true to yourself, which in Alanna's case means coming to terms with the fact that she doesn't need to fit neatly or exclusively in a "man's world" or a "woman's world."

I also find it interesting that, unlike in most fantasy novels, especially those oriented toward younger girls, Alanna not only has several lovers, but uses a magic birth control amulet! (Not so sure if conservatives would be so happy if they found out their daughters were reading this series ;p) Although simplified I was intrigued by the fact that the relationships were more realistic, or at least touched upon common relationship themes:

Boy #1: High-school sweetheart (or in this case knight-in-training sweetheart) whom you still love but whom you are not going to marry because you've grown into different people and your lifestyles aren't compatible

Boy #2: The guy you love who makes you laugh and has always accepted you for who you are. Obviously you're going to end up with this guy, but I thought it was different that Alanna ended up seeing Boy #3 for a while

Boy #3: Someone that you're attracted to and like as a person, but, for whatever reason, can't accept all of who you are but you still care about

As a girl who never got along as well with other girls as with guy buddies, I thought that it was also refreshing to read a book about successful opposite gender friendships, including some that lasted after the "romance thing" was over....more

There really isn't much more I can say about this series. I honestly think that every child (not just girls) should just be issued it at birth. Alanna is such a great, powerful, honest, stubborn, determined hero. I love how this series ended. Even though Alanna is so tough and nearly invincible, I could so easily see her humanity. She struggles to "have it all" which is something that women young and old, mundane and heroic also struggle with constantly. We want to travel and have adventures andThere really isn't much more I can say about this series. I honestly think that every child (not just girls) should just be issued it at birth. Alanna is such a great, powerful, honest, stubborn, determined hero. I love how this series ended. Even though Alanna is so tough and nearly invincible, I could so easily see her humanity. She struggles to "have it all" which is something that women young and old, mundane and heroic also struggle with constantly. We want to travel and have adventures and make discoveries and we also want to be mothers and live a settled life. Alanna is such a paragon of womanhood. Everyone should read these!...more

Unlike "The Woman Who Rides Like a Man," Lioness Rampant certainly doesn't feel like the first half of a story (and while it shouldn't - it is the final book in this particular series). It really is quite well done. I really enjoyed a lot of it.

Jonathan as King and friend is so much better than Jonathan as love interest. He makes a good King, in general. I very much appreciate how focused his is on getting to know his people, and understandi4.5 stars, and it may be possible I'm just being picky.

Unlike "The Woman Who Rides Like a Man," Lioness Rampant certainly doesn't feel like the first half of a story (and while it shouldn't - it is the final book in this particular series). It really is quite well done. I really enjoyed a lot of it.

Jonathan as King and friend is so much better than Jonathan as love interest. He makes a good King, in general. I very much appreciate how focused his is on getting to know his people, and understanding them. And he wants to be just rather than just going easy on people. That is a nice distinction. I like where he and Alanna end up in this book.

Liam, le sigh. I feel like I liked Liam better on my first read-through of this. I understand Liam; I really like the lesson Alanna learns about why they were doomed from the start (both reasons). But, he's just so extreme. I have an issue with characters who are that unwilling to bend in any way, or really even acknowledge that they're wrong (which Alanna is at least better at, though like most people she doesn't like it). I'm not saying he's not noble, and courageous, etc. But I don't think I like his personality much in this one.

Gary and Raoul! Gary loves being Prime Minister and running a government! Of course he does. And I always enjoy Raoul. I also like Lord Gareth the elder's appearance in this, and Alanna's reaction to him. Also Myles! The moment where George is all, "We have to watch out when Myles is riled." I continue to adore Myles.

I had actually forgotten a lot of the plot of the second half of this book. I remembered Alanna getting the jewel. I remembered Liam. I semi-remembered Buri and Thayet. I remembered (view spoiler)[Jonathan using the jewel (hide spoiler)]. I remembered little else. Everything really does come together all at once, doesn't it? (view spoiler)[I do enjoy how Alanna defeats Roger, in the end. (hide spoiler)] I enjoyed everyone just living at Myles'. That was pretty great. I wish we'd gotten to see more of Buri (though I know she shows up in later books). My Lord Provost was pretty entertaining. I enjoy how proud the city is of him.

George. I liked George in this. I think the resolution felt to neat to me, the first time I read this. But (and maybe it's because I've now read the later series'), (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed the romantic resolution this time around. Rather than feel too easy, it felt like both he and Alanna choosing the life they wanted, and both figuring out what they want? I still don't think it's a perfect journey (books two and three leave much to be desired in that regard), but on this readthrough I at least think it ends up in the right place. And this book does it well. So that's nice. Also, George as spy!master is somewhat perfect (particularly if we ignore Aly). (Anyone remember if it's ever textually confirmed that that was Myles's old job? I feel like it might be.) Either way, I think George/Alanna has been bumped to the top of my list for "Best Tamora Pierce romance" (not that there is a lot of competition). (hide spoiler)]

My one sort-of-fly in the ointment? Thom. (view spoiler)[I accept that the story essentially had to go the way it did for plot reasons. But I also feel like there isn't enough justification for some of it in-text? Like, Thom's arrogance, sure. That's well set-up. But enough that goading would cause him to resurrect the man who tried to kill his twin sister? The only person he cares about at all? And given that he brings Roger back from the dead, I feel like everyone's reactions to him are disproportionate. Bringing someone back from the dead is bad enough. Bringing back someone who has attempted to kill the entire royal family? I mean... okay. I just, feel like at the very least Alanna needed to yell at him for it. I'm not saying she needed to resent him for ever, or even be mad at him for a long time. But surely her outlining the reasons what he did was stupid, and trying to figure out if he knew what he was doing... I think I just needed more context/grounding for the whole thing. Because as it is, Thom felt more like a plot device than a character in the later books of this series. It's very much, "Well, a pretty girl dared me to. So I essentially did something to destabilize the kingdom." Which, I'm not sure I buy. (hide spoiler)].

Oh, I remembered another small issue I had. Alex. Why so underdeveloped? Is his whole thing (like Thom) to prove that he's the best swordsman ever? If so, why ally him so completely with Roger? Sort of do not get it. He just sort of feels like he's there...

But yeah, mostly I like it. (A little nervous to reread Daine now though, just because they were always my favourites.)...more

Tamora Pierce was the DEFINING author of my childhood. I loved fantasy, and she introduced me to fantasy with heroines who take charge of their own lives. I learned more from her about feminine strength than almost any other author (save, perhaps, Anne McCaffrey). This series is a must-read for growing girls and grown women everywhere!

It's not just Alanna's courage, her fighting abilities, and her noble heart, but this story that supports self-exploration and discovery, whether that be through traveling, learning new cultures, or falling in love, which makes the series such an icon. This message of girls growing into their skin and being happy with who they area by their own decisions. It's not subtle but it's effective.

I have always loved these books, honestly probably more than anything else I’ve ever read. Sure other books make me think, but there are few if any other books that I can read over and over in one sitting and still cry at the end every time. For years I wanted to end up an old maid. I dressed more like a boy. I’m twenty two and I feel like I’m still just figuring out how to accept being a woman and like pretty things. Now my question is where is George? This is definitely the most epic book in tI have always loved these books, honestly probably more than anything else I’ve ever read. Sure other books make me think, but there are few if any other books that I can read over and over in one sitting and still cry at the end every time. For years I wanted to end up an old maid. I dressed more like a boy. I’m twenty two and I feel like I’m still just figuring out how to accept being a woman and like pretty things. Now my question is where is George? This is definitely the most epic book in the series with quests for fabled objects of power, arch enemies returning from the dead, beautiful queens, legendary heroes, crowning of a king and of course a little happily ever after to go around.

Previous review:

The final book, I think this one has the richest description, the best characters. It is a perfect culmination of all of the wondrous things in the previous books. Enemies of all types reappear, loved ones are lost. The circle of “boys” that you so loved from the beginning are now a woman, men and a king. The danger is taken to the next level. One thing I find so amazing about these books is that the reader grows with Alanna. No matter what your age, you grow a little every time. And then of course this amazing world draws you into the next series where you see some old friends in a new light and meet all sorts of new friends.

(This is the fourth book of The Song of the Lioness quartet, a Tortall series.)...more

It's kind of impossible for me to describe the impact Alanna had on me as a young girl. She taught me that people will most often find your paralysing rage "cute" rather than intimidating, and she sparked a lifelong desire to have a talking cat with purple eyes. I generally consider the Immortals quartet as my favourite but Alanna definitely had the most impact on me. I re-read either this or the Immortals probably once a year and if I ever have a daughter this will be required reading...more ItIt's kind of impossible for me to describe the impact Alanna had on me as a young girl. She taught me that people will most often find your paralysing rage "cute" rather than intimidating, and she sparked a lifelong desire to have a talking cat with purple eyes. I generally consider the Immortals quartet as my favourite but Alanna definitely had the most impact on me. I re-read either this or the Immortals probably once a year and if I ever have a daughter this will be required reading...more It's kind of impossible for me to describe the impact Alanna had on me as a young girl. She taught me that people will most often find your paralysing rage "cute" rather than intimidating, and she sparked a lifelong desire to have a talking cat with purple eyes. I generally consider the Immortals quartet as my favourite but Alanna definitely had the most impact on me. I re-read either this or the Immortals probably once a year and if I ever have a daughter this will be required reading!!...more

I am quite over this series. I admit that I skipped to the end just to see how the whole thing ends. This series is drawn out way to long and I find it boring. I don't think the book was very well put together. I ended up not liking the main character very much.

I finally read this series! I read some of the author's other books when I was younger and really liked them, but it took me ages to figure out who the author was Overall, I really liked it, but there are some criticisms:

- The books feel really rushed at times. I don't necessarily need to read about all 7(?) years of Alanna's training to be a knight in detail if not much happened, but it often felt like major plot events were hurried along, and it made them seem pretty anticlimactic.

- Even thougI finally read this series! I read some of the author's other books when I was younger and really liked them, but it took me ages to figure out who the author was Overall, I really liked it, but there are some criticisms:

- The books feel really rushed at times. I don't necessarily need to read about all 7(?) years of Alanna's training to be a knight in detail if not much happened, but it often felt like major plot events were hurried along, and it made them seem pretty anticlimactic.

- Even though we definitely see Alanna put some hard work into her training, she sometimes still seemed a bit too perfect. Maybe it's because of the aforementioned feeling of rushing along the plot, but she usually wins all fights pretty quickly without too much loss. She also doesn't seem to put as much work into her magical training as her fighting skills and yet she wins every time.

- Some characters were really underdeveloped. What the hell was Alex's deal? Why did we know so little about Thom, who was supposed to be important but was only a very marginal character and seemed to be a bit of a dick. Why didn't we get to see more of Thayet and Bruni's awesomeness?

- I guess this doesn't bother most people, but I really wasn't a fan of the age difference between Alanna and her love interests. George was already the king of the thieves when Alanna was a girl, so he must have been quite a bit older than her, and he starts to pursue her when she's just 15, which I thought was pretty creepy, even though I really liked his character otherwise. Then there's Liam, who's also 14 years older. I know it's not a big deal to some people, I'm just not a fan, especially because Alanna was still pretty young. It would be a bit different if she was 40 and Liam 54, but at that age it does kind of make a difference.

Despite all of these points, there was a lot I enjoyed about the series.

- The world seemed really interesting! I loved all the different settings, from the capital to the desert and Alanna's stay with the Bazhir.

- Some of the characters were awesome! Myles was definitely a favorite (though he could ease up on the drinking), as were Thayet and Bruni and George and Faithful.

- I know we're all really frickin' tired of sexist fantasy worlds, but I appreciate that this was written 40 years ago, and it makes a great point about feminism. Alanna pursues her dreams despite her world being what it is and doesn't give them up for any guy. She has realistic relationships with men and figures out that she can be feminine and a sword-wielding badass.

- The lack of jealousy. Or no, actually there is jealousy and people do feel bad when their love interest hooks up with someone else, but they still manage to be adult about it and get along with each other. It's refreshing.

I enjoyed reading this series, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. ...more

This was a fantastic, satisfying end to the series. There were times when this was a little slow and I really enjoyed the second half of the novel when we got back to Tortall, but I was with Alanna every step of the way. The warrior woman she has become is incredible and inspiring. I am encouraged to read the rest of the books set in this world. I am so glad I reread this as an adult -- it was just as aspiring as it was when I was a young girl.

Hey, folks! I just discovered that apparently I have given some very popular books single-star ratings--except I haven't. How do I know I haven't? Because I haven't read those books at all. So before you go getting all hacked off at me for trashing your favorites, know that I've written GoodReads to find out what's going on.

I return to my regularly scheduled profile:Though I would love to join groHey, folks! I just discovered that apparently I have given some very popular books single-star ratings--except I haven't. How do I know I haven't? Because I haven't read those books at all. So before you go getting all hacked off at me for trashing your favorites, know that I've written GoodReads to find out what's going on.

I return to my regularly scheduled profile:Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!

Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!

I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.

I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.

Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!...more